LX90-SC alignement

[slippo74 (Cristiano)]

Hi guys, I got two ribs broke (bike accident) and a new Meade LX90 (it helps to reduce the pain).
What does it means? It means that I can't carry out in open space my scope and for now I have to enjoy the sky from my backyard for a while.
Last night I've tried to auto align the scope but I'm stucking within the process.
The Autostar controller asking me to point the scope to North and then progress in centering a couple of bright objects in the sky.
Easy thing, except from my backyard I have only visual of West and South sky.
Is anything else that may I try before to request the demolition of the building that covers the North view?


Much appreciate, Cris.

[renormalised (Carl)]

Hi Cris....is the new LX90 you've got one of the ACF ones???. If so, it'll have a GPS receiver that'll align it to north for you. Then you just star align the scope and you'll be setup for the night.

If that don't work, a couple of bricks of C4 will take care of the building blocking the north

[AndrewJ]

Gday Cris

You can just bypass the offered stars til it finds ones you can see
but even easier.....Just do a manual 2 star align.
You still start with the OTA pointing Level and North
but you get to select the two stars you want to use.
Just find 2 bright ones you can see and use them
If you can see south, then this time of year ( early evening )
using Rigel Kent first, then Achernar normally results in good aligns

Andrew

[slippo74 (Cristiano)]

Ok, let me summarize what you guys are saying...

Firstly, no Renorma, my LX90 is not the ACF but it comes with the GPS.

So Andrew, if my understanding is correct during the procedure of auto align I'll require to point the scope to North (using a compass) as requested and then align it to any of the bright stars that I can see on my south side?

[renormalised (Carl)]

Originally Posted by slippo74

Ok, let me summarize what you guys are saying...

Firstly, no Renorma, my LX90 is not the ACF but it comes with the GPS.

So Andrew, if my understanding is correct during the procedure of auto align I'll require to point the scope to North (using a compass) as requested and then align it to any of the bright stars that I can see on my south side?

In that case, it'll still do the same. Set the scope up and then turn it on. The GPS will automatically align and level the scope to north for you (it should do, at least). Then switch the star align to manual and choose two bright stars. The further apart they are, the better alignment, but if you choose stars too far apart, tracking errors will creep in. Then you'll need 3 or more stars to keep things running smoothly. When you've chosen your alignment stars, press "enter" on your autostar controller (for each star) and you'll be finished

[slippo74 (Cristiano)]

Thanks guys, you save me from the demolition option. I'll try tonight!

[mozzie (Peter)]

Originally Posted by slippo74

Thanks guys, you save me from the demolition option. I'll try tonight!

every thing the other members have said is correct i can only add one more point take your time dont expect miracles the first night read your manual then again if you dont get a successful alignment try again if you still have probs go in have a cuppa and read again this takes a little time to master and know your sky and 99.9%of the time if somethings wrong is usually our fault keep posting well all help you

mozzie

[AndrewJ]

Gday Cris

Re

In that case, it'll still do the same. Set the scope up and then turn it on. The GPS will automatically align and level the scope to north for you (it should do, at least).

Not quite right
The GPS will only set location and time, it has no idea of north
The levelling and North detection will only happen
if you have an LNT module fitted, and start an auto align.
Soooo, for doing a fully manual align
start the scope and let it get a GPS fix
Once done, select manual 2 star
When it says set up the scope to home position
Set the OTA level manually ( eyeball is OK )
Set the OTA to True North ( compass is OK )

Now it will ask for a star. You cant pick "any" star,
only the bright ones are used for align stars by the firmware
( but there's heaps down sth at present )
Pick Rigel Kent first and centre it carefully
Its a very bright clear double star, so you cant get it wrong visually
Once centred, goto a second star ie Achernar is best early evening
Centre that and you are running.
Heaps quicker than auto aligning

Andrew

[slippo74 (Cristiano)]

Thanks Andrew

I don't have the LNT module and I'll progress as per your reccomendation. Pointing the scope to North and make sure it is on level it is not an issue for me.
The 2 stars mentioned are clearly visible from my place, so I'm quite sure that it will work.

Thnks again guys!

[AndrewJ]

Gday Cris

I don't have the LNT module

Ooohhhh, the bells...., the bells...., they hurt my ears.
If you dont have an LNT module, you cant get "Auto Alignment" as
an option ,
As such were you actually referring to "Easy Alignment"???
If so, easy alignment is just manual 2 star, but the scope selects the stars for you.
If so, manual 2 star is still preferable, as you know what you can see
and its still quicker.

The Easy align routines always pick stars based on brightness,
not visibility from yr balcony

Learn to do manual 2 star aligns, and you will never go back.

Andrew

[slippo74 (Cristiano)]

Andrew!

"Ooohhhh, the bells...., the bells...., they hurt my ears."

So sorry for your ears!

Ok, I may be confused due what pictured in the LX90 manual.
The manual is showing as Level North Technology (LNT) the following:


Instead with my telescope I got below SmartFinder which I thought it is only a red dot finder but without the LNT module:


I searched around internet but I got more confused than ever.

[AndrewJ]

Gday Cris

Instead with my telescope I got below SmartFinder which I thought it is only a red dot finder but without the LNT module:

Nup
Thats the newer model LNT module
Hence, you will get Auto Align as an option ( so ignore it )
Just start as per my prev notes and select manual 2 star
and see what happens.
If you can see Rigel Kent and Achernar, you should have no probs.

Andrew

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Hi Cris,

Here is my sure fire method of alignment (confirmed and endorsed by AndrewJ and BinTel) - it worked evertime single time without fail...

1. Connect the LNT module and finderscope.

2. Align the finderscope and the Red Dot Finder (RDF) on a distant object during the day, say a mobile phone tower or any object a few kilometres away.

When it's time to observe at night....

3. Roughly set the OTA level and point north. I said ROUGHLY. No need to use a compass, spirit level - I repeat - not needed. It only has to be approximate to your eye only.

4. Turn scope on and select 2-Star alignment. Forget all other alignment options - just 2-star alignment.

5. Select the first star from the list in the menu, and hit Enter. The scope will slew to that star, dance around and try to centre it. When the display asks you to "Centre Star" use the keypad controls to centre the star and hit Enter.

6. Select the second star and follow the same procedure.

The two stars you select should be oh, 50-90 degrees apart! Andrew can confirm the rule of thumb on this.

7. Then to the Guided tour built in to the menu and all objects will be in your finder's field of view or closer.

[slippo74 (Cristiano)]

It works !!!

Thanks guys, you are wonderful... much appreciate.

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Hi Cris,

Now you understand when you hear people say that the people responsible for writing the Meade user manuals should be taken out the back and publicly flogged! They are far from user friendly.

I know that a lot of LX90 users swear by the LNT module, but it's just not needed. Good to see you've suceeded.

[renormalised (Carl)]

Not quite right
The GPS will only set location and time, it has no idea of north
The levelling and North detection will only happen
if you have an LNT module fitted, and start an auto align.

I was assuming he had the LNT module fitted. A better GPS module would detect north and the leveling function wouldn't be hard to add. It'd save Meade having to have two add on bits

[AndrewJ]

Gday Carl

I was assuming he had the LNT module fitted.

He does, but to use it requires you to start an autoalign.
He wanted a quick way to use his own stars, so that precludes use of the LNT. And manual setting of the OTA is sooo easy, its not worth autoaligning anyway.

A better GPS module would detect north

No "purely" OEM GPS unit ( i have heard of ) will tell you which way its pointing, it only gives time, position, and elevation.
If you are moving, then the GPS can tell you what way you went
but if stationary, it cant tell direction.
With Meades, the units appear to be made up of cheap off the shelf individual components which can be matched to their I2C bus.

Andrew